Sri Lanka have announced a competitive 15-player squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be hosted in the UAE. In a key decision, an experienced spinner has been recalled, while emerging pacer has been excluded from the squad.

Inoka Ranaweera returns for spin-favored conditions

Inoka Ranaweera has been brought back into the fold after missing out on Sri Lanka’s victorious Women’s Asia Cup squad earlier this year, as well as the team that toured Ireland. Despite her recent absence from international action, Ranaweera has been recalled with the expectation that UAE’s spin-friendly surfaces will play to her strengths.

The veteran left-arm spinner, who boasts 91 wickets in 82 T20Is and an impressive economy rate of 5.86, adds considerable experience to the Sri Lankan bowling attack. While her recent T20I performances haven’t been headline-worthy, her ability to control the game with her variations makes her an invaluable inclusion for the squad.

Limited pace options but depth in spin

With Kawya Kavindi missing out, Sri Lanka heads into the World Cup with just three frontline seamers: Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, and Ama Kanchana. However, the team’s spin department is well-stocked, with the likes of Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sugandika Kumari, and Kavisha Dilhari joining Ranaweera. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu also offers additional spin options with her part-time off-breaks.

Powerful batting lineup

Sri Lanka’s batting unit looks stronger than ever, with captain Athapaththu leading the charge. The dynamic opener has been in stellar form, and with Harshitha Samarawickrama and 18-year-old prodigy Vishmi Gunaratne also in great touch, the team is poised to make an impact with the bat. Fresh off their Asia Cup triumph, the squad will be riding high on confidence as they prepare for the World Cup.

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Challenging group stage awaits

Sri Lanka faces a difficult task in Group A, where they will be up against the likes of Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan. The tournament kicks off on October 3, and Sri Lanka will aim to carry forward their momentum from the Asia Cup into this global competition, hoping for a deep run in the knockout stages.

Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilshari, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari

Travelling reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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Ireland are set to host Sri Lanka in a two-match Women’s T20I series, beginning on August 11 at the Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin. Both matches of the T20I series will be held at this venue, followed by a three-match ODI series between the two teams.

Sri Lanka riding high on recent successes

Sri Lanka Women enter the series with strong momentum, having achieved significant successes in recent months. They secured victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, followed by a historic triumph in the Asia Cup, where they defeated India to claim their first-ever title in the competition. This recent run of form makes Sri Lanka a formidable opponent for the Irish side.

Ireland aiming to challenge Sri Lanka’s form

Ireland, meanwhile, also showed promise in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, putting up commendable performances. As they prepare to take on a high-flying Sri Lankan team, the Irish Women will be looking to leverage home advantage and build on their recent successes to challenge their in-form opponents in what promises to be an exciting series.

Sri Lanka’s top-choice playing XI for the Women’s T20I series against Ireland:

Vishmi Gunaratne

• Strength: A promising young batter with a strong technique and the ability to build innings.
• Role: Opening or top-order batter who can anchor the innings and set a solid foundation for the team.

Harshitha Samarawickrama

• Strength: A consistent middle-order batter known for her calmness under pressure and ability to rotate the strike.
• Role: Key middle-order batter, responsible for stabilizing the innings and accelerating when needed.

Hasini Perera

• Strength: An aggressive left-handed batter with a natural flair for attacking cricket.
• Role: Top-order batter who can take on bowlers early in the innings, setting an aggressive tone for the team.

Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)

• Strength: A reliable wicketkeeper and a handy lower-order batter with good finishing skills.
• Role: Wicketkeeper-batter, providing stability in the lower order and ensuring strong glove work behind the stumps.

Kavisha Dilhari

• Strength: A versatile all-rounder with effective off-spin bowling and the ability to contribute valuable runs in the lower middle order.
• Role: All-rounder who can provide crucial breakthroughs with her spin and add depth to the batting lineup.

Nilakshi de Silva

• Strength: A dependable middle-order batter with the ability to play both aggressive and defensive roles depending on the match situation.
• Role: Middle-order batter, tasked with guiding the innings during the middle overs and playing a key role in partnerships.

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Udeshika Prabodhani

• Strength: A seasoned left-arm seamer with the ability to swing the ball and trouble batters with her accuracy.
• Role: Opening bowler, leading the attack with the new ball and aiming to make early breakthroughs.

Sugandika Kumari

• Strength: A left-arm spinner known for her control and ability to tie down batters with economical spells.
• Role: Frontline spinner, expected to maintain pressure in the middle overs and pick up key wickets.

Sachini Nisansala

• Strength: An emerging left-arm spinner with potential to deceive batters with her flight and turn.
• Role: Supporting spinner who can complement the primary spinners and provide variety in the bowling attack.

Kaushini Nuthyangana

• Strength: A young player with quick reflexes and developing batting skills.
• Role: Backup wicketkeeper and lower-order batter, offering flexibility in team composition and providing depth in the lineup.

Achini Kulasuriya

• Strength: A right-arm fast bowler with the ability to generate pace and bounce, troubling batters with her aggressive style.
• Role: Fast bowler, part of the pace attack, responsible for maintaining pressure and taking wickets in the middle and death overs.

Note: Athapaththu will not feature in the T20Is due to her commitments in The Hundred

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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Excitement is building as the 19th Asian Games is all set to host women’s cricket matches in Hangzhou from September 19th to September 25th. Adding to the fervor, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently announced their formidable 15-member women’s squad for the marquee event featuring a mix of experienced campaigners and promising young talents.

It is worth mentioning that the 19th Asian Games mark the return of cricket to this prestigious multi-sport event. The last time cricket featured in the Asian Games was in 2014, making this comeback a momentous occasion for cricket fans across the continent. Games.

T20 Format and Sri Lanka’s recent success

The women’s cricket matches in the 19th Asian Games will be played in the T20 format, adding to the event’s excitement. Interestingly, Sri Lanka’s women’s team comes into the tournament brimming with confidence following their historic T20I series win over England. This triumph has raised expectations and has made the Islanders a formidable force to reckon with in the Asian Games

Apart from this, Sri Lanka is also among the four teams that have been granted direct entry into the quarter-finals. The other three teams to have already secured a spot in the quarter-finals are India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Also READ: Pooja Vastrakar added as BCCI announces India Women’s revised squad for the Asian Games 2023

Key players added to Sri Lanka’s squad for 19th Asian Games

Sri Lanka Cricket has left no stone unturned in selecting a full-strength squad for the women’s cricket event at the 19th Asian Games. They selected their best players for the assignment. Leading the charge is the veteran cricketer Chamari Athapaththu, who has retained her position as the team’s captain. Her experience and leadership will be invaluable in guiding the team through the challenges of the Asian Games. Alongside her, notable names in the squad include Harshita Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, and Hasini Perera, all of whom have the potential to make significant contributions to the team’s success.

Sri Lanka women’s squad for Asian Games 2023:

Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshita Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Oshadi Ranasinghe, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Achini Kulasooriya, Inoshi Fernando

Also READ: England star Nat Sciver-Brunt opens up on her bowling plans for the India series

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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